Iran - Northeast
23 May 2018 – 10 June 2018
We prospect mainly the Elburz Mountain range between Mashhad and Baladeh (North of Tehran) to study the hybridization zone between Pied Wheatear and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears. Most of the visited sites correspond to the different samples places.
Visited Sites
- Ferdowsi University (Mashhad) 23 May 2018
- Tandoureh Protected Area 24 May 2018 – 26 May 2018
- Quchan–Chenar road 24 May 2018, 26 May 2018, 08 June 2018 – 09 June 2018
- Tandoureh NP 24 May 2018
- Shirvan–Esfarāyen road 26 May 2018
- Qahremanabad 27 May 2018 – 28 May 2018
- Mojen 29 May 2018
- Abr–Shirinabad road 30 May 2018
- Khar Turan NP 31 May 2018
- Āstāne 01 June 2018 – 02 June 2018
- Dibaj 02 June 2018
- Takam 02 June 2018
- Baladeh valley 03 June 2018 – 06 June 2018
- Golestan NP 06 June 2018
- Ashkhaneh area 07 June 2018 – 08 June 2018, 07 June 2018 – 08 June 2018, 08 June 2018
- Besh Aghaj 10 June 2018
- Chakaneh 10 June 2018
General Travelling Information
This scientific trip was all organized by Reto Burri in collaboration with the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The weather was pretty hot during the afternoon (generally over 30°C), except in the valley of Baladeh.
On site, it is not possible to withdraw money. So you have to take with you Euros or USD.
It is virtually impossible (at least difficult) to explore well the country without some local persons. For a good guide to Iran I can recommended Ali, he is friendly, he knows most of the birding places and the most common species.
Recommended Literature
Birds of the Middle East, Helm Field Guides, R. Porter & S. Aspinall
Tandoureh NP
We just visit the part near Dargaz during one evening. We observed many Variable Wheatear in the rocky areas. In the begining of the NP we spoted Sykes's Warbler and Cinereous Tit in the bushy/wooded areas near the stream.
Target species
-
Sykes's Warbler Iduna rama
-
Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata
-
Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii
-
Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta
Very common in the park and in Dargaz
-
Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus
Cinereous Tit (Parus [major] cinereus)
Other wildlife observed
The park is known to host several leopards
Quchan–Chenar road
We regularly stopped along the road between Quchan and Chenar. The landscape are rather dry with some agricultural fields. The small valleys can host some nice species like Bimaculated Lark, Plain Leaf-warbler or Eurasian Crimson-winged Finch. The Pale Sparrow is rather common in the rocky slopes all along the road. We observed twice 2 Cinereous Vulture on the open area before the mountains.
Target species
-
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
-
Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata
-
Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus
-
Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla
-
Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguineus
Tandoureh Protected Area
We prospect mainly the valley just after the park warden's house (37°30'14.5"N 58°45'21.4"E). The garden around the house seems to be good for migrant birds (the only trees for kilometers around). We were late in the season but we still observed a late Willow Warbler. The steppic areas before the warden's house host See-see Partridge and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. The valley after the house seems good for Variable Wheatears, as well as for warblers (incuded Hume's and Eastern Orphean).
Target species
-
See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis
-
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis
-
Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata
How to get there
Ask the permition to penetrate the area at the warden's house.
Qahremanabad
The best area was located in the southeast of Qahremanabad, around the rocky hills where the emblematic species occurred.
Target species
-
See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis
-
Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata
Mojen
The valley after Mojen, between the dam and the waterfall are really good for wheatears (Pied and Red-tailed). In the slopes, we observed Woodlark, Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush, Hume's Whitethroat and Rock Bunting.
Abr–Shirinabad road
We prospect along the road from Abr to the "Clouds Forest", but we stay in the driest areas. The place looks like a contact zone for many species and we observed many hybrids (Pied x Eastern Black-eared Wheater, Isabelline x Red-backed Shrike and Black-headed x Red-headed Bunting). The bushy area was amazing for the White-throated Robin (we saw at least 9 different birds in a small area). The upper part (more grassy) was "full" of Horned Lark.
Target species
-
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
-
White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis
Khar Turan NP
We mainly explored the valley from Khoshyeyl?q (Sharoud - Gonbad Kavus road) up to ten kilometers down. The sector holds a rather high density of Pied Wheatears (and hybrids). We saw about 40 Pale Sparrows. From there the Western Rock Nuthatch replaces the Eastern one, and the Lesser Whitethroat replaces the Hume's one).
Target species
-
Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla
Āstāne
We were around ?st?ne (northwest of Damghan). The green valley attracts many species like Common Nightingale, Eurasian Blackcap, olivaceous Warbler, Common Rosefinch or European Goldfinch. Here too, the Western Rock Nuthatch is present.
Dibaj
Around Dibaj, the Black-headed Bunting mostly replaces the Red-headed Bunting.
Baladeh valley
The Baladeh valley (mostly around Baladeh and Razan) is really scenic. The wooded areas along the river hosts Syrian Woodpecker and Cetti's Warbler. On the more rocky slopes we observed the two species of Rock-thrush, Trumpeter Finch, Grey-necked Bunting and many Eastern Black-eared-looking Wheaters.
Golestan NP
We briefly stopped along the road 22 (37°23'01.1"N 55°52'33.9"E). Our rapid stop gives u s some typical European species not encountered in the other Iranian places like European Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, European Robin and Eurasian Nuthatch.
Other wildlife observed
The place was full of little fearful Wild boar!
Ashkhaneh area
The steppic areas give us mainly the same species as previously in our trip. We did some nice observation of See-see Partridge and Grey-necked Bunting. The flat areas hosts many Greater Short-toed Lark.
Target species
-
Gray-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani
Other wildlife observed
We observed 4 Golden Jackals in this area.
Chakaneh
We observed mainly the same species as in the previous site with Trumpeter and Desert Finch in addition.
Besh Aghaj
We observed the usual species of eastern Iranian rocky slopes like Pale Sparrow and Variable Wheatear. We also saw a Streaked Scrub-warbler.
Species List
-
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea details sounds
-
enroute
2018-06-06 1 ind.
-
-
See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-26 ≈ 15 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 ≈ 5 ind. 2018-05-28 ≥ 2 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-07 1 ind. 2018-06-08 1 ind.
-
-
Chukar Alectoris chukar details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
-
Tandoureh NP
-
Qahremanabad
-
Mojen
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
-
Baladeh valley
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
-
Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus details sounds
-
enroute
2018-05-31 1 ind.
-
-
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 5 ind. Flying -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 ≥ 1 ind. (heard only) 2018-05-28 ≈ 15 ind.
-
-
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-26 1 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 2 ind. -
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 2 ind. 2018-06-08 2 ind.
-
-
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
-
-
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius details sounds
-
Mojen
2018-05-29 1 ind.
-
-
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos details sounds
-
Mojen
2018-05-29 2 ind.
-
-
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 2 ind. 2018-05-26 ≥ 2 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 3 ind.
-
-
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos details sounds
-
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-04 2 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind. 2018-06-04 1 ind.
-
-
Shikra Accipiter badius
-
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo details sounds
-
Takam
2018-06-02 2 ind.
-
-
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 1 ind. 2018-05-26 1 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 1 ind. 2018-05-28 1 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-07 2 ind.
-
-
Little Owl Athene noctua details sounds
-
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-07 2 ind. 2018-06-08 ≥ 3 ind. 2018-06-08 1 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 ≥ 3 ind. -
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≈ 5 ind. -
Āstāne
-
Baladeh valley
-
-
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
-
European Roller Coracias garrulus
-
Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-06 1 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis details sounds
-
Golestan NP
2018-06-06 1 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo details sounds
-
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 1 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus details sounds
-
Āstāne
2018-06-02 ≥ 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-04 1 ind. (heard only)
-
-
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≈ 5 ind.
-
-
Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 1 ind. phoenicoroides -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 1 ind. phoenicuroides -
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 2 ind. 1900-01-01 00:00:00
-
-
Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax details sounds
-
Tandoureh NP
-
Mojen
-
Baladeh valley
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula details sounds
-
Āstāne
2018-06-02 1 ind.
-
-
Common Raven Corvus corax details sounds
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
-
Coal Tit Periparus ater details sounds
-
Golestan NP
2018-06-06 ≈ 5 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus details sounds
-
Golestan NP
-
-
Great Tit Parus major details sounds
-
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 2 ind. Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus)
-
-
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 ≈ 5 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 3 ind. -
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≈ 10 ind. Included young birds
-
-
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla details sounds
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
-
Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind.
-
-
Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
-
Wood Lark Lullula arborea details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-26 ≥ 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 1 ind. -
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 3 ind.
-
-
Sykes's Warbler Iduna rama details sounds
-
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
enroute
2018-05-27 1 ind. (heard only)
-
-
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida details sounds
-
Ferdowsi University (Mashhad)
2018-05-23 1 ind. (heard only) -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 3 ind. (heard only) -
Āstāne
2018-06-01 1 ind. (heard only) 2018-06-02 2 ind. (heard only) -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 ≈ 5 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 1 ind. (heard only) -
Besh Aghaj
2018-06-10 1 ind. (heard only) -
enroute
2018-05-28 1 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Baladeh valley
-
-
Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 1 ind.
-
-
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-26 1 ind. In stoppover in the garden (late)
-
-
Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta details sounds
-
Besh Aghaj
2018-06-10 1 ind.
-
-
Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti details sounds
-
Mojen
2018-05-29 3 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-04 1 ind. 2018-06-05 ≈ 5 ind.
-
-
Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla details sounds
-
Āstāne
2018-06-02 2 ind. -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 1 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-04 1 ind.
-
-
Lesser Whitethroat Curruca curruca details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 ≥ 1 ind. althaea -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 1 ind. althaea -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 ≥ 2 ind. althaea -
Mojen
2018-05-29 ≥ 2 ind. althaea -
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. curruca -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. curruca 2018-06-05 1 ind. curruca 2018-06-04 1 ind. curruca
-
-
Eastern Orphean Warbler Curruca crassirostris details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 2 ind. 2018-05-26 1 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 ≈ 5 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 1 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 1 ind.
-
-
Greater Whitethroat Curruca communis details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≈ 5 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-05 1 ind.
-
-
Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer details sounds
-
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 ≥ 1 ind. -
Āstāne
2018-06-02 ≥ 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
-
-
Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 6 ind. -
Qahremanabad
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea details sounds
-
Golestan NP
-
-
White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus details sounds
-
Mojen
2018-05-29 1 ind.
-
-
Rosy Starling Pastor roseus details sounds
-
Ferdowsi University (Mashhad)
2018-05-23 1 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-26 1 ind. 2018-06-09 1 ind.
-
-
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis details sounds
-
Ferdowsi University (Mashhad)
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
-
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula details sounds
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
European Robin Erithacus rubecula details sounds
-
Golestan NP
-
-
White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≥ 9 ind.
-
-
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos details sounds
-
Tandoureh NP
-
Mojen
2018-05-29 2 ind. -
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Āstāne
2018-06-01 2 ind. 2018-06-02 1 ind. -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
-
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 1 ind. -
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind.
-
-
Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. 2018-06-09 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 2 ind. -
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Āstāne
-
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind. -
enroute
-
-
Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 2 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 ≈ 5 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind. 2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-04 2 ind.
-
-
Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 2 ind. variegatus 2018-05-26 2 ind. variegatus -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 1 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 1 ind. variegatus -
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 1 ind. variegatus
-
-
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
-
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
-
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe melanoleuca details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
Mainly hybrids
-
-
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
-
Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 ≈ 10 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 2 ind. -
Besh Aghaj
2018-06-10 2 ind.
-
-
Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Qahremanabad
2018-05-28 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
-
Persian Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 2 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 ≥ 1 ind. -
Āstāne
2018-06-02 1 ind. -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 1 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-04 5 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind. 2018-06-03 1 ind.
-
-
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
-
Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Tandoureh NP
-
Qahremanabad
-
Ashkhaneh area
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 1 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 ≈ 40 ind. -
Besh Aghaj
2018-06-10 2 ind. -
Chakaneh
-
-
Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea details sounds
-
Shirvan–Esfarāyen road
2018-05-26 1 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 ≥ 3 ind. -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 1 ind.
-
-
White Wagtail Motacilla alba details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 2 ind. personata -
Āstāne
2018-06-02 1 ind. personata -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 1 ind. alba -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. alba -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 1 ind. personata
-
-
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
-
Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs details sounds
-
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 1 ind. -
Āstāne
2018-06-01 1 ind.
-
-
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 1 ind. -
Āstāne
2018-06-02 1 ind. (heard only) -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-05 1 ind. (heard only)
-
-
Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguineus details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-09 2 ind.
-
-
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 2 ind. -
Chakaneh
2018-06-10 2 ind.
-
-
Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 2 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-06-08 2 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
2018-05-24 3 ind. -
Shirvan–Esfarāyen road
2018-05-26 1 ind. -
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 1 ind. 2018-05-28 2 ind. -
Chakaneh
2018-06-10 1 ind. -
enroute
2018-05-25 ≈ 5 ind. Inside of the town of Dargaz
-
-
Eurasian Linnet Linaria cannabina details sounds
-
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 ≥ 2 ind. -
Mojen
-
Baladeh valley
-
-
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 2 ind. -
Tandoureh NP
-
Āstāne
-
Dibaj
-
-
Fire-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus details sounds
-
Tandoureh Protected Area
2018-05-25 2 ind. -
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 1 ind. 2018-06-09 2 ind. -
Mojen
2018-05-29 ≥ 2 ind. -
Khar Turan NP
2018-05-31 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
-
-
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 1 ind. Hybrid Black-headed x Red-headed Bunting -
Dibaj
2018-06-02 3 ind.
-
-
Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps
-
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
-
Qahremanabad
2018-05-27 1 ind. -
Abr–Shirinabad road
-
Dibaj
-
-
Rock Bunting Emberiza cia details sounds
-
Quchan–Chenar road
2018-05-24 2 ind. -
Mojen
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
-
Baladeh valley
-
Besh Aghaj
-
-
Gray-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani details sounds
-
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. -
Ashkhaneh area
2018-06-08 1 ind.
-
-
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana details sounds
-
Abr–Shirinabad road
2018-05-30 ≥ 2 ind. -
Baladeh valley
2018-06-03 1 ind. 2018-06-05 1 ind.
-
Last updated: 19 December 2020